Rowdier than
Rosie Flores and cuter than
Big Sandy,
Kim Lenz is the sexiest thing to happen to rockabilly music since
Elvis Presley. What her voice lacks in prettiness it more than makes up for in gusto -- when she delivers songs with titles like "Howl at the Moon," "Comin' Back Strong," and "You've Met Your Match," you just can't help but believe her every growl and yelp. The Jaguars are a bare-bones guitar-bass-drums outfit, and it sounds like the producers decided to record them the old-fashioned way (i.e., with only one microphone) in the interest of authenticity. The technique worked; the bass is practically inaudible and the balance is dodgy, just like on those 1950s Sun records. The effect is appealing, though; there's an edgy, first-take energy to every song on the album. Highlights include
Lenz's own "Fit to Be Tied" and "Choctaw Boogie," and she delivers a very credible cover version of
Big Sandy's swinging "Somebody Lied." Highly recommended. ~ Rick Anderson